Adjustable Pump Shaft Stand for Precise Maintenance Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for lifting and supporting pump shafts during maintenance, such as using cranes or stands with compressible materials, often result in shaft damage due to overrising or inaccurate positioning, which can bend the shaft or harm associated parts like seals.

Innovation Solution

A pump shaft stand with an adjustable frame and elevator assembly that allows precise positioning and support of the shaft, using a cross beam, leg members, and a receptacle to maintain the shaft in a non-damaging orientation, with features like adjustable leg positions and a threaded nut for vertical adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a crane is used to lift the shaft, then the shaft can be raised, but the shaft may experience overrising and radial movement that bends the shaft or damages seals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft lifting capabilityVSAvoidshaft damage from overrising

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (the shaft stand with receptacle) between the lifting operation and the shaft itself. The receptacle engages with the shaft and provides controlled support, mediating the lifting force to prevent direct uncontrolled movement that causes overrising and damage to seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of shaft support by providing a receptacle that maintains the shaft within specific positional tolerances (controlling radial movement and overrising distances). This parameter control ensures the shaft remains in a safe position during lifting and support operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a stand with compressible materials like wood is used to support the shaft, then the shaft can be supported, but the compressible materials affect the required accuracy of the shaft lift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft support capabilityVSAvoidshaft positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter of the support structure from compressible materials (wood) to rigid, non-compressible materials. This eliminates the variability introduced by material compression and ensures consistent, accurate shaft positioning throughout the support operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical compression mechanism of soft materials with a rigid mechanical support system. The receptacle and frame provide structural rigidity that maintains precise shaft positioning without the dimensional changes caused by material compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable leg members are used in the stand, then the stand can adapt to different positions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestand position adjustmentVSAvoidstand structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stand is segmented into adjustable leg members with apertures that can be positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each leg's position while maintaining overall structural simplicity through modular design elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The leg members are designed with adjustable positions through apertures, providing dynamic adaptability to different shaft positions and pump configurations. This controlled adjustability achieves versatility without excessive complexity by using discrete positioning points rather than continuous adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The shaft stand ensures accurate and damage-free positioning of the pump shaft during maintenance, preventing overrising and protecting components like seals by maintaining movement within specified tolerance ranges.

Implementation Method 1

the elevator assembly includes a rod that extends through a hole in the cross beam and a nut threadingly coupled with the rod, and the nut is optionally in abutting contact with the cross beam, so that rotating the nut adjusts a distance of the attachment connector from the cross beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Implementation Method 2

monitoring a position of the shaft with a micrometer, and further adjusting the elevator based on the monitored position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrometer measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12421981B1Pump shaft stand and method for servicing a pump

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A pump shaft stand for supporting a pump shaft while a pump is being serviced. The pump shaft stand includes a frame, a receptacle coupled with the frame, and an elevator for positioning the receptacle. The elevator is adjustable to place the receptacle in a designated position, so that when an end of the pump shaft is supported by the receptacle, the pump shaft does not move by an amount that can damage the shaft or associated components of the pump.